Santa Claus is Comin' to Town |
Christmas TV Party 2014: Jakki, founder of 'Tis The Season and Christmas Movies & Music Group
1) What is the first Christmas special you remember watching?
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town by Rankin/Bass. They were enchanting, terrifying and believable, so they made a big impact.
2) Name one Christmas program/movie you enjoy watching all year round.
It's A Wonderful Life. The themes are universal for any time of year, not to mention only a small portion of the movie actually takes place at Christmas. Actually, I find that I watch it most often during the off-season when I need a Christmas fix.
cover art on VHS release |
3) Name one overlooked, or under-appreciated Christmas program.
Mr. Krueger's Christmas. This is the forgotten James Stewart Christmas film that features the glorious vocals of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It's an incredibly touching story about an elderly widower who lives alone with his cat and is longing for a little company at Christmas. It's guaranteed to bring tears to my eyes each time I watch it. James Stewart is his usual charming self and it's a beautiful reminder to think of others less fortunate during the holiday season. I really believe it would be a classic if it got more air time, so I hope this makes even a few people seek it out if they've never heard of it!
4) Send us to 3 places on the internet.
It's A Wonderful Movie (http://itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com),
The Sounds of Christmas (http://www.soundsofchristmas.com) and
My Merry Christmas (http://mymerrychristmas.com)
5) What are your 3 favorite Christmas episodes of a TV sitcom or drama?
Mad About You episode Met Someone (love the story of how Paul and Jamie met at Christmas), the Lark Rise To Candleford Christmas Special (a traditional English Christmas ghost story in the tradition of Dickens) and Blackadder's Christmas Carol (Hilarious flipped version of the classic tale).
Thanks for joining the fun Jakki! I'm so glad you mentioned Mr. Krueger's Christmas--I too wish it was more accessible. Maybe sometime soon it'll get the recognition it deserves.
ReplyDeleteJakki, I enjoyed reading your post so much!
ReplyDeleteI love It's a Wonderful Life... plus you tugged at my heartstrings with Mr. Krueger's Christmas. It is a beautiful story that absolutely should air every Christmas. I'm amazed it doesn't - especially with how much everyone loves It's a Wonderful Life and Jimmy Stewart (myself included!) at Christmastime!
Also, thank you so much for mentioning my site! I appreciate your support and everyone on the Yahoo Group "Christmas Movies & Music"! : )
Fun stuff. It's a Wonderful Life definitely deserves all the respect and love.
ReplyDeletei will admit i never watched Mr. Krueger's Christmas but just now i watched the YouTube version of it and loved it! what a forgotten classic!!.
ReplyDeleteJakki, Mr. Krueger's Christmas is a beautiful and unique special. I hope your post here in the Christmas TV Party inspires many more people to seek it out.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, is that the cover art for a home video release of Mr. Krueger's Christmas? Whatever it is, that painting looks more like James Coburn than James Stewart. Maybe the artist just got his Jameses mixed up.
ReplyDelete